Hog-nosed rat: Victorian scientists among team to discover new mammal species in remote Indonesia

A new species of mammal dubbed the hog-nosed rat has been discovered in a remote area of Indonesia, researchers say.

The rat, which has features never before seen by science, was found in a mountainous region of Sulawesi Island by a team of international scientists, that included members from Museum Victoria.

Hog-nosed rat key features:

Pig-like, forward-facing nostrils

Long hind legs, probably used for hopping

Large ears taking up 21 per cent of its head

Extremely narrow mouth opening

Long, white, sharp teeth used to pierce prey

Weighs about 250 grams, about 45cm long

The long-snouted, big-eared rat is so unique it has been recognised, not only as a new species, but as a new genus.

"I am still amazed that we can walk into a forest and find a new species of mammal that is so obviously different from any species, or even genus, that has ever been documented by science," Museum Victoria researcher Dr Kevin Rowe said.

Along with its hog-like snout, the new rat also has long hind legs, a tiny mouth opening and "curiously" long pubic hair.

"We think it may serve some function in helping animals be successful in mating," Dr Rowe said adding, "but we really have no idea what its function is".